Children's Science Book Database

The Humblebee Hunter

I guess in a way the book does foster development of scientific processes. In the book the children are encouraged to ask questions and take action, “Father was still collector. And most of all he collected questions. We grew up asking what? And why? And how?”The Humblebee Hunter
  • Author: Deborah Hopkinson
  • Illustrator: Jen Corace
  • Year Published: 2010
  • ISBN: 9781423113560

Science Topics

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

Summary

On a beautiful day, the last thing Etty wants to do is sit inside baking honey cakes. She much rather be outside with her father, Charles Darwin. Inspired by the life and experiments of Charles Darwin and his children.

Evaluation

  • Appropriateness: Medium
  • Authority: Medium
  • Accuracy: Medium
  • Liteary Artistry: Medium
  • Appearance: High

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

I guess in a way the book does foster development of scientific processes. In the book the children are encouraged to ask questions and take action, “Father was still collector. And most of all he collected questions. We grew up asking what? And why? And how?”

Does the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?

I feel that the book does provide children the opportunity to ask their own questions (some related or unrelated to the questions in the book). The book is about questioning and finding ways to test out individual’s ideas based on what they think and their interest.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

I the book can offer students to think for themselves. On pages 9 and 10 even though the children are not professionals the students are still free to explore their surroundings and test in a way that is most comfortable for them. The book does not discourage creative thinking.

Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?

I think this book might be a good introduction to what scientific process could look like and encourage students to view their world around them, from the seeds, to the worms and bees.

Is the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?

The book does not seem to cover too many scientific content. The book does talk about exploring, questioning and experimenting that can encompass scientific nature. The content is a bit more broad than specifying to one topic.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

Unfortunately, it is a bit hard to tell exactly what parts are fact and what parts are fiction with the characters and experiences. However, based on the illustrations, actions from the children and the history of Charles Darwin the book is most likely fact than fiction.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

  • The illustrations are clear for readers to know what the characters are doing. The illustrations have simple foregrounds and backgrounds but the reader can understand where the family is in a general sense. The characters also display actions that the reader can make out through the book even though the pictures do not provide a lot of detail in their design.
Since there is not a lot of detail in the illustrations I can’t say that there work is very accurate to the real experience.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

I think the story will fit well for my 2nd grades. The text does not seem too hard and the length is reasonable to read. This book could possibly be read independently by the student.

Is there a multicultural component? Is it free from stereotyping?

  • The story really only talks about the Darwins and the children when they were growing up. The book is inspired by the life and experiments of Charles Darwin and his children. I don’t believe there is a multicultural component in the story and because we are not sure how accurate the book is or the history of that time was, it is hard to tell if they author is stereotyping.

Is the book free from gender bias?

In history men were seen as being superior to women and the name “scientist” was primarily given to educated men. In the story the daughter is in the kitchen cooking with her mother. Although she is just as fascinated with science the main character is unable to explore the same areas as her father. I feel that there is some gender bias, just because of the time and where the story took place

Does the book show the close association between science and other disciplines?

  • I am not too sure how the book could work with other subjects. There is a little bit of counting involved when the children were looking at the bee. I suppose students could practice a similar experiment and try to find the average based on their observations.
Reading and writing could also be involved. Students could read more about Charles Darwin, or read more about the different animals that he saw during his explorations. Students could also practice writing out their findings or questions they might have with their experiments

Does the book present a positive attitude toward science and technology?

  • I think the story shows a more positive attitude towards science than technology. The story talks about Charles Darwin’s children and how they were free to explore and experiment their ideas out in the field. They did not have to be professionals, but their curiosity was what drove their motivation.